TOURISM IS BIG BUSINESS IN BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY, AND IT’S GETTING BIGGER WITH EACH PASSING YEAR. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in new tourism assets and attractions in the last ten years, in projects as diverse as Canalside and the Martin House Complex. More than a dozen new hotel projects – large and small, city and suburban – have just opened their doors or are in various stages of planning and construction. Our region’s tourism industry employs more people, supports more families and generates more tax dollars than ever before.
VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA WORKS TO GROW VISITOR SPENDING. By bringing conventions, amateur athletic events and group tours to Western New York, Visit Buffalo Niagara generated more than $164 MILLION in economic impact in 2016.
37.75
$
1
TO $
For every $1 invested, Visit Buffalo Niagara
RETURNED $37.75 TO THE COMMUNITY.
...and, a greater investment equals a greater return. PHOTOS BY ERIC FRICK
Tourism in Erie County is a more than
$1.7 BILLION INDUSTRY,
spent across a diverse range of sectors.
311
172
$
$
MILLION
MILLION
IN LODGING
614
$
MILLION
IN FOOD & BEVERAGE
235
$
MILLION
IN TRANSPORTATION
Tourism creates
THOUSANDS OF JOBS in Erie County.
324
TAX RELIEF
to every Erie County household.
In Erie County, tourism is the fifth largest industry, employing
30,826 people directly and indirectly.
IN RECREATION
$
Tourism provides
VISITOR SPENDING
$207, 790,734
was generated in sales taxes paid by visitors in 2015, reducing the tax burden on every household in Erie County by over $500.
MILLION
IN ANNUAL TAX RELIEF
IN RETAIL & SERVICE
17
$
MILLION
IN SECOND HOMES
548
$
PER HOUSEHOLD
30,826 JOBS
Economic impact and spending data sourced from Economic Impact of Tourism in New York, 2015 Calendar Year by Tourism Economics
Households are defined as all persons who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence. According to the US Census 2010-2014, there were 381,783 households in Erie County. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36029.html
THE FACES OF TOURISM
CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU BUDGETS:
HOW WE STACK UP AGAINST THE COMPETITION
TOURISM MATTERS
Across Buffalo, men and women from all walks of life are employed in tourism jobs. Purchases made by out-of-town visitors help to employ 30,000 of our friends, neighbors and relatives.
DESTINATION MARKETING: A CONNECTED ECOSYSTEM
Visitors Bring Economic Growth to Buffalo Niagara
An investment in destination marketing will help more potential visitors choose Buffalo Niagara over other communities. The bigger the marketing budget, the better we can compete with other similar-sized cities.
14.8 MILLION
$
11.8
$ $
9
MILLION
$
9.5 MILLION
$
7 Local businesses and the workforce thrive.
MILLION
Visitor spending increases, and the tourism industry expands.
enjoy their trip, share 5 Visitors their experience on social media
6
with other potential new visitors and come back again and again.
4.1
MILLION
SAM SCARCELLO Cafe Manager » Public Espresso + Coffee
MARION LOTT Housekeeper » Hampton Inn Williamsville
4 YEARS IN TOURISM INDUSTRY LIVES ON THE WEST SIDE
14 YEARS IN TOURISM INDUSTRY LIVES IN WILLIAMSVILLE
Visitors come to Buffalo Niagara year-round.
New marketing campaigns and outreach efforts begin.
CITY & COUNTY POPULATION
BUFFALO
NEW YORK
919,866
599,164
CINCINNATI 297,517
PITTSBURGH 305,841
390,113
creates destination 1 VBN marketing plan and budget.
MILWAUKEE CO. HAMILTON CO. ALLEGHENY CO. CUYAHOGA CO. WISCONSIN
956,023
OHIO
804,520
PENNSYLVANIA
1,200,000
OHIO
1,260,000
For more information on the importance of travel and tourism to Buffalo Niagara’s economy, go to VisitBuffaloNiagara.com/about 403 Main Street » Suite 630 » Buffalo, New York 14203 716.852.0511 » 888.228.3369
VisitBuffaloNiagara.com
2
efforts generate 3 Marketing destination awareness.
CLEVELAND
ANN “PANDA” TRAN Pastry Chef » Lloyd & Churn
MAKAYLA SANTIAGO Guest Relations » Martin House Complex
1 YEAR IN TOURISM INDUSTRY LIVES IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
2 YEARS IN TOURISM INDUSTRY LIVES IN THE ELMWOOD VILLAGE
ERIC FRICK
ERIE CO.
MILWAUKEE
PHOTOS BY DREW BROWN
258,959
4
VisitBuffaloNiagara.com